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Sunday, December 29, 2013

The IIHF Disciplinary Panel has handed down a one-game suspension to Czech Republic defenceman Michal Plutnar.

The suspension comes following an official review of an incident
involving the player and linesman Eduard Metalnikov during the December
28 preliminary round game against Canada. Plutnar will miss the Czech
Republic's next game on 30 December against Germany.

At the
conclusion of the second period, Plutnar went after Canadian forward #17
Connor McDavid when McDavid shot the puck into the Czech goal after
time expired. While trying to get to McDavid, Plutnar appeared to push
Metalnikov to the ice as the linesman attempted to intercede between the
two players. He was assessed a roughing penalty at the time as a result
of the action.

Upon further review, the IIHF Disciplinary Panel
decided that, while it was not the intent of Plutnar to intentionally
injure Metalnikov, the player did in fact make deliberate contact to
remove him from his position, thus preventing him from doing his job by
knocking him to the ice and thus endangering his safety.

Therefore, the Panel decided that additional disciplinary measures
should be taken in the form of a one-game suspension, meaning that
Plutnar will miss his country’s next preliminary round game on 30
December against Germany.